Seager placed on IL with fractured right hand

May 16th, 2021

LOS ANGELES -- The Dodgers have overcome an avalanche of injuries so far this season, but now they’re going to be without for an extended period of time, as X-rays showed the star shortstop suffered a fractured right hand in Saturday’s 7-0 win against the Marlins.

Seager was placed on the 10-day injured list on Sunday, and the Dodgers recalled catcher Keibert Ruiz from Triple-A Oklahoma City in a corresponding move. Perhaps the lone positive of the injury is that Seager, who had a splint on his arm Sunday, won’t need surgery.

"Fortunately, I think we dodged a bullet on that one,” said Dodgers manager Dave Roberts. “We’re just kind of going to let it heal.”

Roberts said he doesn’t want to put a timetable on Seager’s return, but it’ll be at least a month.

In the fifth inning, Seager was hit in the right hand by a pitch from left-hander Ross Detwiler. Seager immediately grimaced in pain and was taken out of the game after a quick conversation with Roberts and the athletic training staff. Gavin Lux replaced Seager at short on Saturday and was back in there on Sunday. In Seager’s absence, Lux will handle most of the duties at shortstop, with Chris Taylor getting some starts against left-handed pitching.

Like most of L.A.’s hitters, Seager, the 2020 National League Championship Series and World Series MVP, was in an extended slump over the last few weeks, but had started to break out of it and perform like the Dodgers were accustomed to seeing.

Seager has been a huge part of the Dodgers’ success as the team’s No. 2 hitter all season. He was hitting .265 with four homers this season, but had hit .375 (9-for-24) with four RBIs in his last six games.

Max Muncy hit second for the Dodgers on Sunday, but Roberts said that spot in the lineup will rotate, depending on matchups.

The Dodgers already lost Edwin Ríos for the remainder of the season with a shoulder injury and AJ Pollock was placed on the 10-day injured list on Saturday with a left hamstring strain. Cody Bellinger and Zach McKinstry have also been on the shelf for over a month.

Los Angeles did acquire infielder/outfielder Yoshi Tsutsugo from the Rays, and has reportedly agreed to terms with future Hall of Famer Albert Pujols, though that deal has not yet been confirmed by the team.

With Seager on the IL, the Dodgers have nine players on the 40-man roster on either the 10-day or 60-day IL. Top pitching prospect Josiah Gray is also dealing with a shoulder impingement and was shut down for 7 to 10 days.

“That’s the thing that pulls your hair out, but the great thing about baseball is we’re tapping into the depth and giving guys an opportunity. You've got to figure it out because no one’s going to feel sorry for the Dodgers, and that’s OK,” Roberts said. “But I still love our guys. Looking at today, we’re going to win today and be ready for the Diamondbacks when they come into town with 26 guys.”

Price and Tsutsugo to join team Monday

Left-hander David Price and Tsutsugo will join the team Monday, giving the Dodgers a boost on the active roster. Price, who has been sidelined since April 25 with a Grade 2 hamstring strain, will give the Dodgers another option out of the bullpen.

Tsutsugo will give the Dodgers another left-handed hitter off the bench. With Matt Beaty handling most of the left-field duties with Pollock sidelined, and Ríos out, the Dodgers needed some help in that department. They’re hoping Tsutsugo can figure things out at the plate and serve as that key piece off the bench.

“I’m very excited about this player, this person,” Roberts said. “Obviously, he had a well-decorated career in Japan and coming over here he just hasn’t really gotten any traction with the Rays. … I’m just really excited to get to know him and have our hitting guys work with him.”

Tsutsugo can play first base, third and left field.

Taylor scratched, Neuse in

Just minutes before Sunday’s series finale against the Marlins, the Dodgers announced that Taylor had been scratched with right wrist soreness. Sheldon Neuse replaced Taylor and played second base.